Cook Strait Swim, New Zealand

Monday, May 20, 2013

One of my favorite marathon swims in the world occurred off the Coast of California. I have written a children's book on this heartwarming true story. It is called, "Catalina...Oh, my!" An Adventure Story. My daughter Sarah is co-writer. My crew member Jean illustrated the 32 page picture book for children ages 4 to 8. And, now the difficult part...publishing. I need your help finding a publisher. I looked into self publishing but I decided not to go that route. So, I am in the process of looking for a reputable publishing company in the United States. Most companies will not accept unsolicited manuscripts.
Synopsis of story:
Meet Grandma Pat and travel along with her and her boat crew as she swims the Catalina Channel and encounters many of the birds and sea creatures that live in and around the channel. Grandma Pat begins her swim from Catalina Island with greetings from sea lions, pelicans, flying fish, dolphins, and even a spouting whale. Her crew member and illustrator captures these enchanting scenes in beautifully detailed drawings. As Grandma Pat swims 21 miles from Catalina Island to the mainland of California, she swims over a giant kelp forest, hears the gentle singing of whales, and she is startled by a large gray shadow beneath her. The concept of team work, the spirit of adventure, and environmental protection is artfully woven in this true adventure story. When Grandma Pat is near the end of her swim, she is surprised by the spectacular heartwarming welcoming of nearly 100 dolphins who swam with her to the shoreline. Enjoy the magical beginning and ending of Grandma Pat's marathon swim and all the adventures in between.
Contact information: patgallant.charette@gmail.com

Wednesday, May 1, 2013

It's been one week since I've returned from New Zealand. Mother Nature prevailed with storms preventing any swims from taking place during my 12 day trip. However, I am very pleased that I have the opportunity to attempt to swim Cook Strait in 2014. In the meantime, I am in full force with my training for the 21 mile swim of the North Channel in Ireland at the end of August. Today, I swam at Pine Point (Maine) with an ocean temperature of 48F(8.8C) degrees and air temperature of 59F (15C). I felt comfortable and did not show any signs and symptoms of hypothermia. I will transition from pool to ocean slowly. For example, on the days that I have off from work, I will swim for 3 hours at the pool, then travel to the ocean for a half hour swim. I will gradually decrease my pool time and increase the time of my ocean swims each month. Every three weeks I will have a six hour swim in one day in addition to my normal swim workouts on the other days. By July, I will have long weekend ocean swims... Saturday 6 hours and Sunday 5 hours. Early August, I will have a 6 hour swim in one day (remainder of week my usual training schedule). Mid-August I will have a few ocean swims between 3-5 hours each day. Also, I will be taking "ice" baths a few times a week to prepare me for the bone chilling water of the North Channel. It's a brutal training method but a necessary step in preparing for cold water exposure of the Irish Sea. The North Channel will be the most challenging swim of the Oceans Seven due to very cold water temperature (52 to 54F) and possible severe stings from Lion's mane jellyfish. These jellyfish can have a dome (body) with a diameter of 7 feet and tentacles 120 feet long. Their stings are very painful but are not known to be fatal (thank heavens). My two experienced crew members, my brother David and sister-in-law Jeannie, are both in the medical field and they are well prepared to face the challenges of my next swim adventure.

Go Grandma! You can do it, if you try!

Meet Pat Gallant-Charette, a native of Maine, Westbrook resident, University of Southern Maine graduate, wife, mother, sister, grandmother, and full time nurse. In her spare time, 64 year old Pat is a marathon swimmer. In her first attempt of the English Channel, success was snatched from her grasp in July 2008. After swimming 16 hours in the Channel, with the lights in French homes encouraging her and still feeling strong, Pat fought impenetrable currents for four hours just 1.7 miles from the finish line. While Pat had made it across....and that was a dream come true...the ultimate challenge had eluded her. In 2009, prevaling winds prevented Pat from starting her second attempt of the English Channel. Pat returned to Maine determined to return to Dover for another attempt. She came late to the Gallant-Charette swimming club. Her son Tom was on the Westbrook High School swim team and her youngest brother, Robbie Gallant twice won the 2.4 mile Peaks to Portland swim. Robbie, just 34 years old, was a loving husband, and devoted father to three year old Christopher when he suffered a fatal heart attack fifteen years ago. Soon after Robbie's untimely death, Pat's son Tom said, "Ma, I'd like to swim the Peaks to Portland as a tribute to Uncle Robbie." Pat replied, "Tom, that's so sweet, I wish I could do the same." Looking at her encouragingly, Tom said, "You can, if you try." Those words inspired Pat to swim Peaks. At the age of 46 her fitness regime had consisted mainly of walking, but with a regular workout schedule at the local pool, Pat gradually built up her endurance. She met the qualifying requirement for the Peaks to Portland swim the following year. You can only imagine her emotion on finding her young nephew Christopher waiting for her at the end of that swim. Pat continues to enter the Peaks to Portland every year and Christopher, now a young man, cheers her on. That success encouraged her to seek other goals, including a double crossing of Maine's Big Sebago Lake (12 miles), the Great Chesapeake Bay swim (4.4 miles) and the Strait of Gibraltar swim (9 miles), where stroke by stroke Pat repeated her mantra, "You can, if you try". Then on June 16, 2010 Pat swam across the Strait of Gibraltar (Spain to Africa) in a time of 3 hours and 28 minutes. And much to her surprise, she placed 3rd fastest woman's time since 1928, set the U.S.Woman's record for fastest time, and the new record for the fastest time for any woman or man over the age of 50 worldwide. Pat nurtured the belief that she is capable of swimming the English Channel, considered by many to be the greatest test of a long distance swimmer. While nominally 20.7 miles, strong tides and currents in the Channel make the real distance covered by swimmers 30 miles or more. On August 22, 2011 Pat entered the English Channel determined to reach France. With her crew of brother David, sister-in-law Jeannie, and nephews' Kyle and Chris (Robbie's son), she reached her dream in a time of 15 hours and 57 minutes. Pat set the oldest American woman's record at the age of 60. The English Channel Swimming Association awarded her with the "Rosemary George Award for the 'Most Meritorious Swim of the Year' for 2011." Then, on October 18, 2011 Pat at the age of 60 set a new World Record for the Oldest Woman to swim from Catalina Island to the mainland of California ( 21 mile swim). She was accompanied by her crew: brother Bill and sister-in-law Jean. Her swim was dedicated to her brother Johnny who died at the age of seventeen in a tragic accident. Pat has written a children's book called, "Catalina...Oh, my! An Adventure Story." She is currently looking for a publisher for her completed 32 page picture book. Pat founded "Valentine's Day...Swim for your Heart." a global swim event to bring an awareness of heart disease and prevention. http://swimforyourheartfeb14.com She encourages swimmers worldwide to participate in thought and action by swimming on February 14. Swimmers donate to their favorite heart charity or program. In 2011 the "Daily News of Open Water Swimming" announced the nominees for the "World Open Water Swimmer, Woman of the Year" award. Pat at the age of 60 was nominated for this award. Twelve swimmers were nominated throughout the world for this distinct honor. Then in 2012 at the age of 61, she was nominated for World Open Water Swimmer, Woman of the Year" award. Also, in 2012 and 2013 she was selected as one of 101 women worldwide as "101 Movers and Shakers" in the world of open water swimming.....known as "open water ambassadors, spreading their enthusiasm and passion for the sport. ". Pat was inducted into the Maine Swimming and Diving Hall of Fame on April 12, 2014. Pat announced that she will attempt to swim the Oceans Seven Challenge. On September 13, 2012 she completed Japan's Tsugaru Strait (her fourth swim of the challenge) in a time of 19 hours and 36 minutes (33 miles) and set a world record for the oldest person to swim Tsugaru Strait. In August 2013 Pat attempted to swim the North Channel between Ireland and Scotland. After swimming for 16 hours and 43 minutes and less than one mile from the finish line, the tidal flow changed directions and prevented Pat from completing her swim. On January 24, 2014 Pat attempted to swim Cook Strait in New Zealand. Mother Nature provided very strong tidal flows preventing her from reaching the finish line after several hours of swimming. She will attempt Cook Strait at a later date and she will attempt the North Channel again in 2015. Also, she plans to swim Molakai Channel between the islands of Oahu and Molokai Islands in Hawaii the 7th swim of the challenge in 2016. Contact information: patgallant.charette@gmail.com

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